Forbes - 4 Oct 04

How Deep-Water Drilling Works

October 4, 2004

Illustration by John Kocon. Animation by Tucky Ridder.

NEW YORK - By the end of the decade, deep-water wells
will supply 10% of the world's oil. As the technology improves, that
number will grow.

Drilling through 10,000 feet of water in the Gulf of
Mexico--and then through 20,000 feet of bedrock and salt formations to
reach an oil reservoir--is fast becoming commonplace to reach those
hoped-for big paybacks of black gold.

With the latest fleet of drill ships, up to two miles
of pipe and drill bit can be assembled on deck and dropped. No anchors
needed. Thanks to six 7,000-horsepower thrusters that swivel 360
degrees, the ship can float in a stationary manner aided by satellite
positioning systems and sonar beacons on the ocean floor.

The next big challenge: engineering a production
platform that can support the weight of the pipes and processing gear
needed to bring all that oil to the surface.